Happy New Year, from the evolving Press Banner

January 11, 2021

The year 2021’s arrival is welcome news, and all of us at the Press Banner are excited about what lies ahead. Over the past three months, there have been some changes: new ownership, a new office, a new web site and an improved print edition.

In October, the Press Banner joined the award-winning group that includes Good Times, the Pajaronian, Aptos Life and Metro Silicon Valley. The newspaper was sold by a company whose other publications were based in Southern California and the Central Valley—and sought a buyer who would be a good fit for the community—to one whose operations are focused on Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties. Having owners who’ve been long time residents of the area brings fresh energy and resources to our local community journalism.

The entire local staff was retained, and new talents are supporting our news coverage. General Manager Cherie Anderson was promoted to the group’s Real Estate Sales Manager to support the home ownership industry across the company’s publications. Amanda Robinson continues as administrator and inside sales person, and Katie Evans and Christina Wise remain on in editorial. Editor Tony Nuñez, county reporter Todd Guild and photojournalist Tarmo Hannula will support their efforts.

We believe that a strong local newspaper can bring a community together, create positive change and hold institutions accountable. We do not take that responsibility lightly, and we will expect our readers will hold us accountable as well. Since our purchase, we focused on covering the CZU August Lightning Complex fire aftermath and possible debris flows and the economic ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotts Valley. We will continue to dive into these topics in the coming months while also bringing readers the community journalism that this paper has proudly produced for six decades.

During the first week of November, we relocated from Scotts Valley Drive to the city’s commercial center. Our new office is at Kings Village Office Center, Suite 212. The move provides convenient, easy access for our readers and business customers. And when the Covid-19 pandemic ends, our new location also enables our reporters to more easily cover Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley.

Because we are now part of a larger extended family of publications, 2021 will bring with it many new opportunities for expanded advertising reach. We will be able to provide print and digital advertising reaching from Monterey County to North Bay’s wine country.

If you haven’t seen it, please check out our new website at pressbanner.com. It’s fast, mobile-friendly and well organized. Until all enhancements are completed, please send any obituaries directly to Amanda at ar*******@we*****.com and opinions to pb******@pr*********.com .

One of the first changes has been the overall look of the paper. The updated, cleaner look brings us into the 21st Century. Another is the Faves & Raves for 2020. For the first time we will have winners in San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley in key categories. That means businesses in both valleys will have a Fave or a Rave possibility. This will assist in bringing a higher level of recognition to the truly local favorites in each valley.

We look forward to working with our clients, old and new, in 2021 to create successful strategies focused on growing your revenues with our quality family of newspapers and magazines.